Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds Are Naked Together in The Proposal
Written: Jul 05 '09
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Funny, entertaining movie with good cast.
Cons: Predictable at times.
The Bottom Line: The Proposal is a funny, entertaining movie with a strong cast that deserves to be seen. Fans of Sandra Bullock should give it a chance.
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| dragonfire88's Full Review: The Proposal |
I have seen and enjoyed several of Sandra Bullock's movies. She has been in a few different types of movies, but I tend to enjoy her comedies the most. I've been interested in seeing The Proposal since I first saw a trailer for the movie.
Book editor Margaret Tate is focused on her career and very demanding, especially of her assistant Andrew Paxton. She intimidates everyone she works with, and they go so far as to send office wide instant messages warning each other when she is coming. Margaret's carefully ordered life is disrupted when she is informed that she is going to be deported back to Canada. Margaret claims that she and Andrew are engaged, much to his surprise. He agrees to go along with her plan in exchange for the promotion he's been wanting.
Margaret thinks the engagement will quickly fix her problem, but that isn't the case. They meet with INS agent Mr. Gilbertson who decides immediately that they are only getting married so that Margaret won't be deported. Andrew and Margaret end up going to his home in Alaska for his grandmother's birthday in an attempt to appear like a normal couple.
The Proposal has a fairly simple plot that isn't that original. I have seen other movies that have dealt with a character facing deportation getting married. A few of the elements in this movie are more unique, which does make things more distinctive for this movie. There are a few small surprises even though the movie is still mostly predictable. I wasn't bothered by it being predictable since I expected that before seeing the movie. Other viewers may feel differently. I really thought that something would end up happening that didn't, which made me happy. Even though the plot isn't that complex, there is still enough going on to keep things interesting.
There is a good amount of humor throughout The Proposal, with much of it connected to Margaret in some way. It is funny how basically everyone at the office reacts to her arriving in the office. That part is a bit like what was done in The Devil Wears Prada. Margaret is way out of her comfort zone when she goes with Andrew to Alaska and that does add some humor. Some of what is done to add humor is a bit silly, but it works for what is going on. Andrew's grandmother Annie adds humor in every scene she is in. Margaret shares a few funny moments with a cute little dog named Kevin. Some scenes play out during the first few minutes of the credits that are funny and worth seeing.
Relationships are important to what is happening in The Proposal. Margaret has spent her time focused on her job, so she really doesn't have any friends and it comes out that she doesn't have any family either. Andrew has worked for her for three years and it does seem like she took him for granted, though he somehow managed to deal with her. Once they are in Alaska, it becomes clear that he has some issues with his family, especially his father. Margaret is very unsure of herself around his family and seems uncomfortable being around so many people. It doesn't take long for them, especially Grandma Annie, to grow on her. There really is just a small touch of romance in the movie, which may disappoint people in the mood for a more romantic movie. The way that Margaret reacts to Andrew's family is more important since that has more impact on her and her attitude.
The Proposal includes some sexual situations. Most of them are rather mild, though a few of them are a bit more graphic. Margaret and Andrew share a room at his parent's house. He is sleeping on the floor, but they catch glimpses of each other in various stages of undress. They do sort of snuggle together one morning when his mother is bringing them breakfast in bed. It is made clear that Andrew is aroused. During another scene, they end up both being naked in the room at the same time. The scene is funny in the way it is done, but Margaret and Andrew both show off a lot of skin. The only thing that prevents a full frontal shot of Margaret is a strategically placed arm and hand. There aren't any actual sex scenes, though there are a few sexual remarks. One scene involves Margaret being taken to see the male exotic dancer in town. That scene does seem to go on a bit longer than really necessary. The movie does earn the PG-13 rating and really isn't something that younger children should see.
Margaret has put her career ahead of everything else in her life and she seems content to be alone. She is very focused at work, which causes most of the other workers at the office to view her as a witch. She really doesn't seem that nice and she acts like her needs are more important than everything. She does start to soften a bit once she is in Alaska and she becomes more likable. Overall, she is an entertaining character and Sandra Bullock does a good job with the part.
Andrew has been working for Margaret for three years. He knows all sorts of things about her and is always jumping through hoops to meet her orders. He doesn't like her that much, though he does agree to go along with her plan. There are things about him, mostly connected to his family, that he has kept to himself. Andrew has issues with his father over his career choice. Andrew is very likable and I thought Ryan Reynolds did well with the part. He also looks really good when he has his shirt off and in the scene when Andrew is naked with Margaret.
Grace and Joe are Andrew's parents. Grace is kind and more welcoming than her husband. Joe isn't that pleasant most of the time and he continues to argue with Andrew over his career choice. Mary Steenburgen and Craig T. Nelson are fine in the parts. Grandma Annie is a bit feisty, but very friendly and welcoming. She is a very likable character and Betty White is wonderful in the part. Mr. Gilbertson is the INS agent who is convinced that the relationship between Andrew and Margaret is a sham. Mr. Gilbertson acts like a pompous jerk. Denis O'Hare is fine in the part. Malin Ackerman turns up in a few scenes as Andrew's former girlfriend Gertrude. The part is more subdued and normal than some of the others I've seen her play. There are a few people who turn up in a few scenes, like some of the people around the town or some of Andrew's coworkers, that really don't have much to do.
Main Cast
Malin Ackerman - Gertrude
Sandra Bullock - Margaret Tate
Craig T. Nelson - Joe Paxton
Denis O'Hare - Mr. Gilbertson
Ryan Reynolds - Andrew Paxton
Mary Steenburgen - Grace Paxton
Betty White - Grandma Annie
Anne Fletcher - Director
The Proposal is a fun, entertaining movie that is one of the funnier movies I've seen in a while. It is silly at times and predictable, but it is still worth watching. Fans of Sandra Bullock or Ryan Reynolds should give it a chance.
I would have given this review four and a half stars if I had the choice. Since I don't, I decided to round up to five.
This review is part of elvisdo's 2009 Canadian Write Off. The character Margaret is from Canada. Actor Ryan Reynolds is from Vancouver British Columbia.
Sandra Bullock Reviews
Demolition Man ~ Miss Congeniality ~ Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous ~ Murder by Numbers ~ Practical Magic ~ Premonition ~ Speed ~ Two Weeks Notice ~ The Vanishing ~
Recommended:
Yes
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